Tampon



M. W. TRAGER Nov. 8, 1949 TAMPON Filed July 16, 1946 MRGHRET WI TRHGER,

INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY Patented Nov. 8, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT, OFFIE TAMPON Margaret W. Trager, Los Angeles, Calif. Application July is. 1946, Serial No. 683,822

1 Claim.

This invention relates to a vaginal tampon, and method of constructing the same.

It is an object of the invention to provide a simplified tampon or pack wherein a single strip of sheet material is folded in a novel, improved manner for insertion into its operative position.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a vaginal tampon constructed of a multiplicity of plies or folds of sheet material which owing to a slight, predetermined unfolding of the pack, will expand when in their operative position to a considerable extent so as to absorb a greater amount of the flow than would otherwise be possible, before it becomes necessary to remove the tampon. Owing to this improved feature the device will effectively perform its intended purpose without replacing it at so frequent intervals as would otherwise be necessary.

Another object of the invention is to provide a tampon consisting of a sheet of thin, loosely woven cloth, both the body and the selvage portion of which are so constructed as to prevent any frayable edge being present to shed loose fibres or lint of any kind within the body of the user to cause an unsanitary condition after the tampon has been removed.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention will hereinafter appear.

Referring to the accompanying drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a sectional view of the portion of the female human body containing the sex organs, showing one of my newly invented tampons in its operative position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of an end fragment of one of the packs or tampons showing the same in an extended condition.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the pack, per se, in its compressed condition. 4

Fig. 4 is a side elevation of the pack showing the same in a somewhat extended condition.

Fig. 5 is a view showing in plan, on an enlarged scale a corner fragment of one of the folds of the pack, this view illustrating the preferred weave.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the tampon consists of an elongated strip of sheet material, shown as a loosely woven cloth, preferably cotton, of a highly absorbent character. In the construction of the pack one end portion thereof will first be folded down upon itself so that the fold 8 of the pack will be the end fold and will abut fiatwise against the next fold 9 of the strip, thus producing a smooth, rounded edge where said folds 8 and 9 join each other. Then a series of reversely directed folds will be progressively formed in the strip, as illustrated in Fig. 2, these folds being progressively pressed up against each other until the pack formation In of Fig. 3 is produced. After this has been done a suitably sized needle carrying an end portion of the cord H is pushed upwardly through the pack as positioned in Fig. 3, and an end portion of the cord 1 I is thus threaded longitudinally through the central portion of the pack. Then the cord carrying needle is passed backwardly through the pack along a path parallel to and near that of the run l2 of the cord thus looping the cord back through the pack because of the additional run l3 produced, said run being in an adjacent parallel relation to the run H. The extremity of the run is is then, by means of a knot l4 joined to the body portion of the .cord at a point spaced considerably below the closely compressed pack Ill. A waxed cord. or cord otherwise treated to render it impervious to moisture will be used.

In Fig. 4, and in Fig. 1 as well, the pack is shown in the expanded condition which it will assume after it has absorbed a sufiicient amount of moisture. The knot I4 should be tied at a point located about 1 inch from the opposite end of the looped part of the string, thus allowing for the pack to expand to about twice its original size, so as to absorb a much larger amount of discharge than would otherwise be possible. The gauze or open meshed cloth of which the tampon is made may be medicated in any manner desired.

In Fig. 5 is shown a corner portion of one end of the pack forming strip 1, this end portion being assumed to be the end fold 8 of Fig. 2. In this view which shows the weave of the strip on a greatly enlarged scale, the intersecting strands of the woven sheet fabric are shown having selvage loops I6 which tend to smooth off the edge portion of the strip and which keep all exposed edge portions of the pack from giving off lint or small fibres that would have an unsanitary effect on the surrounding tissues.

In practical use the length of the material may vary from eight to ten feet. The gauze preferably contains about 24 threads or strands to the square inch. It is constructed with the edges woven shut, as shown in Fig. 5.

When constructed in the above stated manner and dimensioned as stated it will usually be unnecessary to remove it until it has been in place three hours. If made of a strip ten feet in length it can be worn for a period of over four hours.

The tampon should be furnished to the user in. suitable air-tight containers. Preparatory to assasoo putting it in place, the vaginal canal may be cleansed in any well known approved manner. The pack can be put in place by means or digital application without the use of any special instrument. It does not cause any discomfort while in use because it conform itself to the contour of the vagina, and it will alleviate the consciousness of the ilow of menstruation until it has become saturated. The pack is then sealed with a cellophane wrapper. The protruding portion of the cord ll enables the user completely to withdrawn the saturated pack.

I claim:

A vaginal tampon comprising an elongated strip of fabric reversely folded transversely of its length to provide a multiplicity of layers adapted to iit in substantially planar positions transversely oi the vaginal canal, and a cord threaded perpendicularly through said planar layers so as to provide a loop extending longitudinally of the a 4 canal, the length of the loop being substantially greater than the dimension of the pack of layers longitudinally of the canal in their initial closely packed arrangement, said loop limiting expansion of the respectivelayers as they absorb fluid to a predetermined dimension longitudinally oi the canal.

MARGARET W. TRAGIR.

REFERENCES CITED The i'ollowing'reierences are or record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 15 Number Name Date 1,401,358 Peterkin Dec. 27, 1921 1,884,089 Millner Oct. 25, 1932 2,238,450 Rabell Apr. 15, 1941 2,264,588 Ross Dec. 2, i941 

